It is that time of the year again that will see thousands of students face the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert as well as in house exams over the next few weeks. It is a big time for students, teachers and parents and in particular those who will face the Junior Cert for the first time.
I can only truly draw on my own experience as a real example of probably what not to do given I didn’t do a great Leaving Cert but I did do it and sit here 16 years later happy and content, even though I do have small regrets but that is only natural given the passage of time over the past few years.
You’ll have been told that the Leaving Cert in particular is the be all and end all, well that is what I was told anyway but there are many ways to get to where you want to in life and that is not just down the academic route while it is still the best route, it is not the only way…
Of course listen to your teachers and parents as they know you better than I do so enjoy the final days of your time in school because the one thing I can say for certain without contradiction is that once your school days are at an end life will never be the same again.
So as I said enjoy the last few days with your friends and teachers and keep up the studying over the next few weeks as D day is only around the corner for you all.
I have mentioned many times in a few previous pieces written before exam time, teachers aren’t there to steer you on the wrong road, they are there to assist you. I am only really beginning to realise that fact as the years go by…
I know too that we as teenagers thought we knew everything but as life has thought me we certainly don’t know everything contrary to what you might think. Listen to the advice that is being given to you and don’t be too pig headed about accepting help or support.
Life has always been tough and tricky to navigate but given all that is happening worldwide and with the pressure of social media. It can be tough to be a teenager in 2025 but with the right support from friends, family and listening to teacher’s advice life can be made that bit easier.
I’ll finish by saying, do your best in a few weeks time, you’ll get the rewards for the effort you put in. Remember too that while the exams are important, they are not the be all and end all….
To the class of 2025, all the very best